This page is intended for HSC coaches.  Below are various articles and links to resources that might be useful. If you have any questions or problems you can send an email to webadmin@highlandsoccerclub.org.  Most of the documents are Adobe PDF copies of the original article, but we also provide links to the original.

coaching Resources:

Coaching Philosophy / Education - These articles / documents / links are related to various philosophies relating to developing youth athletes.

• Time To Reassess - Raises the issue of the need look at the US Soccer program from top to bottom and refocus on technical skills and creativity.  The article was originally published online by Soccer America (http://www.socceramerica.com/article.asp?ART_ID=562137748)
   
• Best Practices - Best Practices for Coaching Soccer in the United States.  The article was originally published online by US Soccer  (http://images.ussoccer.com/Documents/cms/ussf/Best_Practices.pdf)
   
• America needs more 'teaching' from its coaches - Jay Bilas lays out the need to go back to teaching skills in our youth sports program.  This article is primarily about basketball, but is applicable to most youth sports in America.  The article was originally published by ESPN (http://espn.go.com/ncb/columns/bilas_jay/1488688.html). It was also published in the March / April 2005 issue of Soccer Journal.

• Deconstructing Youth Soccer -This program of small-sided games was adopted by the US Youth Soccer National Coaching Committee and forwarded to the National Board of Directors for formal nationwide adoption.  The article was originally published online by Ohio Youth Soccer Association North  (http://www.oysan.org/CoachingArticles/DeconstructingYouthSoccerWorld.doc)
   
• Modified Street Soccer – A Model for Recreational Soccer? -  The article describes how a Pennsylvania community implemented a street soccer model for its recreational program.  The article was originally published by Ohio South Youth Soccer Association  (http://www.osysa.com/ModifyingStreetSoccer.html).

• Do we want Robinhos or Robots? - An article about how over-coaching and the emphasis on winning stifle young American talent. Originally published in Soccer America (http://www.socceramerica.com/article.asp?ART_ID=562137747)

• U.S. SOCCER FEDERATION POSITION STATEMENTS & BEST PRACTICES For PLAYER DEVELOPMENT - This document has been written by U.S. Soccer Director of Youth Development John Ellinger and US Soccer’s National Staff Coaches. Originally published by US Soccer (http://images.ussoccer.com/Documents/cms/ussf/youthpositionStatements.pdf)
   
• U12-U19 Curriculum Guidelines - Originally published by US Soccer (http://images.ussoccer.com/Documents/cms/ussf/12_19_guidelines.pdf)

• All bunched Up - An essay explaining why the "swarm" in younger age groups is OK. Originally published by Ohio South Youth Soccer Association (http://www.osysa.com/allbunchedup.doc)

• KINS (Kicking Is NOT Soccer) - A program designed to focus on the younger players development of technical skills of ball control instead of just kicking the ball. Originally published by US Soccer (http://images.ussoccer.com/Documents/cms/ussf/youthpositionStatements.pdf)
   
• Learning vs. Winning - A position statement by the US Women's National Team Program regarding ‘Playing to Develop’ versus ‘Playing to Win’.  Originally published by US Soccer (http://images.ussoccer.com/Documents/cms/ussf/learning_vs_winning.pdf)

• Quality vs. Quantity - A position statement by the US Women's National Team Program regarding how many games, tournaments, etc. is too much.  Originally published by US Soccer  (http://images.ussoccer.com/Documents/cms/ussf/quality_vs_quantity.pdf)

• Small Sided Games Manual - US Youth Soccer's manual for implementing small sided games in youth soccer programs.  Originally published by US Soccer  (http://images.ussoccer.com/Documents/cms/ussf/learning_vs_winning.pdf)

• Small Sided Games - A slide show presentation arguing the benefits of small sided games in youth soccer programs. Originally published by US Soccer  (http://www.usyouthsoccer.com/doc_lib/06_SMALL_SIDED_GAMES.ppt)

• Adult Politics: The Games Adult Leaders Play - A position statement by the US Women's National Teams Program. The focus is the role of adults as coaches, club leaders, etc.  Originally published by US Soccer (http://images.ussoccer.com/Documents/cms/ussf/adultleaders.pdf)

• Adult Politics: The Games Parents Play - A position statement by the US Women's National Teams Program. The focus is the role of parents in the development of youth players.  Originally published by US Soccer (http://images.ussoccer.com/Documents/cms/ussf/ParentGames.pdf)

Nutrition / Fitness - Various articles related to safety, nutrition, fitness, etc.

• Sports Nutrition: Tips for Fueling Athletes- Originally published on Brooklyn AYSO's website (http://www.brooklynayso.org/Sports-Nutrition.pdf)

• Nutrition for Football -  FIFA's guide for nutrition. Originally published by FIFA (http://www.fifa.com/documents/fifa/medical/Nutrition_Booklet_E.pdf)
   
• Prevention of Heat Related Problems - Originally published by US Youth Soccer (http://www.usyouthsoccer.org/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=45& url_subchannel_id=&url_article_id=2149&change_well_id=2)

• Hydration Guidelines for Youth Soccer Players- Originally published by US Youth Soccer  (http://usyouthsoccer.org/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=40&url_article_id=2238&change_well_id=2)

• Youth Soccer's Dilemma-  A look at the potential injuries and problems of too much soccer. Originally posted on NJ Youth Soccer Website (http://www.njyouthsoccer.com/CoachingTechniques/dilemma.htm)